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Canon Cinema EOS C-series, XF camcorder and CR-N PTZ cameras controlled by Middle Control over Ethernet or Wi-Fi

Canon Cameras

Middle Control controls Canon cameras directly over the network — no APC-R or additional hardware required. Two different Canon protocols are involved, and which one applies depends on the body:

ProtocolCameras
XC protocolCinema EOS bodies, the XF605 camcorder, CR-N / CR-X PTZ cameras
CCAPI (Camera Control API)EOS R mirrorless bodies, plus EOS M, DSLR and PowerShot bodies

For the list of supported models and the exact settings you can control per camera, check the compatibility page.

Connecting the camera to Middle Control​

  • Cinema EOS & XF cameras connect over Ethernet or Wi-Fi. We recommend Ethernet for maximum stability.
  • CR-N / CR-X PTZ cameras connect over wired LAN only.
  • CCAPI cameras connect over Wi-Fi. Only the EOS R1, EOS R3, EOS 1D X III, and the EOS R5 II with its optional battery grip have a wired LAN path.

Set up a Cinema EOS / XF camera first​

On the camera, before pairing:

  1. Open the menu and go to Network Settings — set the network function to Enabled.
  2. Create a new Connection Setting and select the XC Protocol.
  3. Set IPv4 to Automatic (DHCP) and leave TCP/IPv6 disabled.
  4. Choose No Auth — or Basic authentication if your network requires it (Middle Control will then ask for the username and password; the username is usually admin).

Set up a CR-N / CR-X PTZ camera first​

Open the camera's web interface by typing its IP address in a browser, then:

  1. Go to System → Communication → External Connection (IP) and set Standard Communication (IP) to Enabled.
  2. Go to System → Server and set RTP to Enabled — required for Live View.

Set up a CCAPI camera first​

There are two families here, and the difference is one setup step.

The EOS R1, R5 II, R6 III, R6 V and R50 V ship from Canon with CCAPI already enabled. Nothing to prepare — go straight to the camera menu steps below.

Every other CCAPI body — EOS R3 / R5 / R6 / R6 II / R7 / R8 / R10 / R50 / R100 / RP, EOS M50 II / M200 / M6 II, EOS 90D / Rebel T8i / Rebel SL3 / 1D X III, and the PowerShot SX70 HS / G5 X II / G7 X III / V10 — ships with CCAPI dormant. You have to switch it on yourself, once per camera:

  1. Create a free Canon Developer Community account — Americas, or EMEA & Asia.
  2. Download the CCAPI Activation Tool from the developer portal.
  3. Connect the camera to your computer over USB and run the tool. CCAPI stays enabled on that body from then on — you never repeat this.

The Camera Control API entry only appears in the camera's network menu once activation has been done. Middle Control's Add Camera wizard shows the same reminder when you pick one of these models.

Once CCAPI is enabled, update the camera to its latest firmware, then on the camera:

  1. Go to Network settings and set the network function to On.
  2. Choose Connect to app → Advanced connection → Camera Control API.
  3. Run the camera's own network wizard: Add with wizard, pick your Wi-Fi network, set IPv4 to Auto and leave IPv6 off.
  4. Leave authentication off unless your network requires it — Middle Control also answers Basic and Digest challenges if you enable them.
  5. The camera shows a Waiting to connect screen. Leave it there and add the camera in Middle Control.
2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Live View

Most of the activation-required cameras — the EOS R7 / R8 / R10 / R50 / R100 / RP, the EOS M and DSLR bodies, and every PowerShot — carry a 2.4 GHz-only Wi-Fi radio. Camera control works on this band, but it doesn't have the bandwidth for video: expect Live View to stutter or drop, especially with several cameras.

For dependable monitoring, use a body with a 5 GHz radio, a wired Ethernet connection, or SDI/HDMI. The compatibility page marks each 2.4 GHz-only body.

What CCAPI does not cover

CCAPI has no tally, no menu navigation and no ND control, focus is relative only (no absolute position), and zoom needs a lens with power zoom. Presets store the look — iris, ISO, shutter, white balance and tint — but not zoom or focus position, because the API publishes neither.

Canon PTZ pairing wizard in Middle Control

How to Connect your Camera​

  1. Connect the camera to the same network as the computer running Middle Control.
  2. The camera appears automatically in the left sidebar under Scanned — click + to add it. If it doesn't show up, add it manually by IP address.
  3. If the camera uses authentication, Middle Control asks for the credentials once and remembers them.
  4. Click the camera in the sidebar and assign a Camera ID.
Canon pairing wizard in Middle Control

Controlling your Camera​

Select the camera's ID on the Camera Page to drive exposure, focus, recording, and monitoring. CR-N / CR-X PTZ heads also take pan / tilt / zoom from the Motion Page. The exact settings depend on the model — see the compatibility page.

Canon camera on the Middle Control Camera page

With Middle Control Pro, Canon cameras integrate into your ATEM workflow via ATEM Link — see Control Canon Cameras with ATEM.

Quick Troubleshooting​

  • No Live View on a PTZ camera — check that RTP is enabled in the camera's web interface (System → Server). Middle Control tries to enable it automatically, but that needs an admin login on the camera.
  • The camera rejects the video login — delete the camera from Middle Control and pair it again with valid credentials.
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